Leonard leads Coralstown/Kinnegad to U14 glory

Coralstown/Kinnegad 5-13, Mullingar Shamrocks 1-10

Coralstown/Kinnegad were worthy winners of the Westmeath U14 Division 2 football title on Friday evening in Killucan, where they recorded an emphatic victory over Mullingar Shamrocks.

Inspired by outstanding full-forward Eric Leonard, Coralstown/Kinnegad outscored their opponents to claim the spoils, having led by 4-5 to 0-3 at the end of the first half. Perhaps the result was decided as early as the 25th minute when centre-forward Cormac Maguire tapped home his side’s third goal, accepting the gift after Peter Gorman’s effort came off the upright into his path.

Fortune favours the brave, and that was a case in point. But there was nothing fortunate about this win, Coralstown/Kinnegad much more adept in the skill of kicking the ball. It seems basic, but the ability to strike the ball cleanly off either foot is so relevant in the modern game, and if Mullingar Shamrocks were to learn anything from this, they would find a wall - a gable or a ball alley - and kick relentlessly off either foot until they hone the skill.

Too often efforts landed short or lacked the conviction to find the target. The exceptions were wing-backs Conor Glynn and Seán Dooley, who kicked fine scores in the 35th and 57th minutes, the latter a thumping shot to the roof of the net.

In contrast, Leonard, Peter Gorman, Killian Dardis and Lochlann Coyne were among those to excel for the winners, who had a greater spread of quality in this area. Coralstown/Kinnegad moved the ball very slickly too, their transition from defence to attack more impressive. They stopped Mullingar Shamrocks’ running game also and perhaps rode their luck with the high number of fouls, but overall they were stronger in all aspects.

A great goal from Peter Gorman in the eighth minute set the tone, Mullingar Shamrocks rocked on their heels. They should have found the net moments earlier when Jamie Byrne blasted over but instead were now in retreat.

Coralstown/Kinnegad sensed that and pressed on with a second goal from Cormac Maguire in the 13th minute, after Ruairí Fleming’s delivery. Maguire’s second goal was reward for his side’s dominance in the second quarter, and then wing-forward Desire Izekor showed his pace to create the chance for Maguire, who found the roof of the net with a powerful strike on the half-hour mark.

A 14-point lead at the interval looked significant, and so it proved. There were still four goals between the sides at the end of the third quarter, and a fine save by ‘keeper Kaedan Govender kept it that way after he advanced smartly to deny Eric Leonard, who soon tagged on a brace of points. Killian Dardis’ fine strike added to Coralstown/Kinnegad’s tally in the 56th minute; at the other end, Mullingar had little fortune when Carl Keane’s free came off the upright, the ball scrambled away to safety this time.

Conor Glynn combined with Seán Dooley, who sent a powerful shot to the roof of the net for Mullingar Shamrocks, and that was a deserved reward for their valiant effort. However, the final word went to Eric Leonard, whose low shot found the net in the second minute of added time to complete a resounding win.

Westmeath Coiste na nÓg secretary Barry Kelly presented the cup to Eric Leonard and Killian Dardis after the game, two very worthy recipients indeed.

Scorers — Coralstown/Kinnegad: E Leonard 2-7 (0-3f), C Maguire 2-0, P Gorman 1-1, C Leonard 0-2, T Coyne, L Coyne and K Dardis 0-1 each.

Mullingar Shamrocks: S Dooley 1-1, C Keane 0-4 (4f), J Byrne 0-2, C Glynn, E Reddan and C Murphy 0-1 each.

Coralstown/Kinnegad: Michael Ward; Seán Macken, Liam Geraghty, Donnacha Farrell; Lochlann Coyne, Dylan McNevin, Andrew Leavy; Killian Dardis, Ruairí Fleming; Desire Izekor, Cormac Maguire, Peter Gorman; Tyler Coyne, Eric Leonard, Evan Flynn. Subs: Cathal Leonard for Maguire (h-t), Ethan Davis for T Coyne (55), Flynn Campbell for L Coyne (59), John Gaughan for Flynn (60+1).

Mullingar Shamrocks: Kaedan Govender; Cian McNamee, Oisín McNamee, Cian Heffernan; Seán Dooley, Kian Newcombe, Conor Glynn; Jesse Mbiachare, Carl Keane; Dylan Conlon, Jamie Byrne, Eoin Reddan; Eddie Leavy, Gavin Cooney, Pau Dooley. Subs: Aaron Smith for P Dooley (38), Caolán Murphy for Byrne (40), Paul Donlon, Josh Burke and Donnacha Doyle for C Heffernan, Leavy and Reddan (52).

Ref: Eoin Cawley (Bunbrosna).